Q&A
Question:
What tools would Highland recommend for outfitting a basic woodworking shop in my garage?
Answer:
This list includes a wide variety of tools used for general-purpose "straight-line"
woodworkingthat is, tools and machines for turning are not represented. This is not intended to slight woodturning, which is not only an integral part of much classic furnituremaking, but a fine sport unto itself. The focus of this list, however, is on the tools and machines most often used for basic woodworking: cabinets, shelving, tables, boxes and other common projects.
The choice of tools herein naturally reflects personal predilections, and there's doubtless plenty of room to debate the merits of any specific item. These are our
favorites, tools we've learned about, used and enjoyed during the past twenty
years. Occasionally two or more similar tools are listed, marked with a
red asterisk, to offer a choice of features or price. You'll get what you
pay for, but the less expensive alternatives are nonetheless good, functional
tools. Please consult a current Highland Woodworking catalog for
specifications, additional options, related items and current prices.
Our catalog numbers are shown (where applicable) to help you identify the tools
precisely. The tools are labled to indicate their usefulness in most shops:
Critical; tools you can't do without.
Essential in virtually any shop; their lack will always limit what you can do.
Almost essential; you can get by without them, but they'll pay for themselves quickly.
Very useful; significant convenience. Substitutes can often accomplish the same functions.
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Sharpening
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026445
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Set of 3 Japanese waterstones: Green, 1000,
6000
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026446
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Set of 5 stones: Green, 800, 1200, 4000, 8000,
nagura
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026425
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Nagura stone
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026461
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Waterstone holder
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025331
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Set of 4 diamond paddles
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Planes
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199205
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Anant No. 7 jointer plane
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031307
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Clifton No. 7 jointer plane
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199203
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Anant No. 4-1/2 smooth plane
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031304
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Clifton No. 4 smooth plane
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197412
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Anant 60-1/2 low angle block plane
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034277
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L-N 60-1/2R low angle block plane
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034237
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L-N low angle adjustable mouth block plane
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031804
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Stanley 92 rabbet plane
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199409
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Kamal flat spokeshave
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077018
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Veritas low angle spokeshave
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Joinery Tools
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146012
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Narex bevel-edged chisels, set of 6
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146605
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Octagonal Japanese hammer
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078472
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24-oz. deadblow hammer
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199104
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6" steel square
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065008
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Woodworker's dial caliper
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067010
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Veritas marking gauge
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055201
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Tite-mark marking gauge
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061116
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Marking and mortise gauge
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061521
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Starrett 12" combination square
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061202
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Sliding bevel
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066401
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Japanese marking knife
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063020
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6" steel rule
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063021
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12" steel rule
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062001
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Center Point 24" stainless rule
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061513
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Starrett 24" rule
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167215
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16' left and right reading tape rule
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061528
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Starrett 24" straightedge
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126435
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Silky dozuki saw
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126421
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Silky kenzo ryoba saw
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056406
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Dozuki back saw
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056423
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Japanese dovetail saw
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051901
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Coping saw
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056427
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Flexible flush-trim saw
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199151
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Groz 7" quick release bench vise
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199152
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Groz 9" quick release bench vise
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168042
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Patternmaker's vise
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019714
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Pair of round bench dogs
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017004
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Veritas Wonder Dog
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163504
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Six 6" Jorgensen light bar clamps
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163506
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Six 18" light bar clamps
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199162
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Four 48" Groz bar clamps
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163502
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Four sets 3/4" pipe clamp heads (plus several lengths of
threaded pipe)
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CT50
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50" Clamp 'N' Tool Guide
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167201
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Glue spreader
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185101
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Bench brush
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Finishing
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031509
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Bahco 474 scraper
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035306
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Round burnisher
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031205
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Stanley #80 scraper
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Variable speed random orbit sander
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Machinery
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*
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Contractor's tablesaw
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*
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Heavy duty tablesaw
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6" 1 HP jointer
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12" thickness planer
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14" bandsaw
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*
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16-1/2" drill press
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*
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12" drill press
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*
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6" belt / 9" disc sander
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*
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4" belt / 6" disc sander
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115101
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Shop Fox 1-1/2 HP dust collector
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D10101
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First Stage Separator Kit
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Hand Power Tools
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7-1/4" circular saw
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3/8" electric drill
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12 volt cordless drill
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301001
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Triton 3-1/4 HP plunge router
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101032
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6 piece router bit set
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DW682K
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DeWalt biscuit joiner
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Personal Safety
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117001
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CFR-1 dust mask
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087003
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Peltor hearing protectors
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085016
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Corded ear plugs
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085072
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Safety glasses
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085009
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Clear goggles
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087009
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Face shield
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196033
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Nitrile disposable gloves
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Books
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201037
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Complete Manual of Woodworking
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201281
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Understanding Wood
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202299
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Complete Illustrated Guide to Sharpening
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203621
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Understanding Wood Finishing, Revised
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201260
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Great Wood Finishes
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200393
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Band Saw Handbook
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200351
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The New Router Handbook
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202241
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The Table Saw Book
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200595
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The Nature and Aesthetics of Design
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200504
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Cabinetmaker's Notebook
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